Adam Ferguson

Photographs: Marja

US Marines entered Marja District in Helmand Province, Southern Afghanistan in February 2010 as part of the largest joint operation by NATO and Afghan forces to be conducted in the US-led occupation to that point. Marja was believed to be a Taliban stronghold and the offensive was considered a decisive play in the war. The offensive was boasted as a success.

Since, from remote combat operation posts throughout Marja, Marines have maintained a grinding presence in an attempt to hold the ground they took. The reality of this has been daily cat and mouse style combat with insurgents, civilians getting caught amidst the fighting, Taliban intimidation killings and improvised explosive devices that have devastated both Afghans and Marines.

A U.S. Marine from the 3rd Battalion 6th Marines walks through dusty rotor wash from a helicopter in Marja District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on April 14, 2010.
   
U.S. Marines from Lima Company of the 3rd Battalion 6th Marines, come under attack while on patrol as part of a joint Nato operation in Marja District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on July 27, 2010. U.S. Marines provided a security cordon to an operation conducted by British forces in the neighbouring area of operation.
   
U.S. Marines from Lima Company of the 3rd Battalion 6th Marines come under attack while on patrol as part of a joint Nato operation in Marja District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on July 27, 2010. U.S. Marines provided a security cordon to an operation conducted by British forces in the neighbouring area of operation.
     
  
Lieutenant Kevin Gaughan from Lima Company of the 3rd Battalion 6th Marines, wipes his faces while meeting family members of Gulmakay, a fourteen-year old Afghan girl killed by a U.S. Marines mortar strike in Abdullah Jan Village in Marja District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on July 28, 2010. U.S Marines from 3/6 Lima Company came under attack while on patrol in northern Marja District, returning fire and suppressing the insurgent attack with 81 mm mortar rounds. Gulmakay sustained fatal shrapnel wounds during the fighting.
   
Corporal Nathaniel Matos from Lima Company of the 3rd Battalion 6th Marines, looks away from the body of Gulmakay, a fourteen-year old Afghan girl killed by a U.S. Marines mortar strike in Abdullah Jan Village in Marja District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on July 28, 2010. U.S Marines from 3/6 Lima Company came under attack while on patrol in northern Marja District, returning fire and suppressing the insurgent attack with 81 mm mortar rounds. Corporal Nathaniel Matos called in the coordinates for the morter strike that Gulmakay sustained fatal shrapnel wounds from.
   
Lieutenant Kevin Gaughan (C) from Lima Company of the 3rd Battalion 6th Marines and an Afghan interpreter speak with family members of Gulmakay, a fourteen year old Afghan girl killed by a U.S. Marine mortar strike in Abdullah Jan Village in Marja District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on July 28, 2010. U.S Marines from 3/6 Lima Company came under attack while on patrol in northern Marja District, returning fire and suppressing the insurgent attack with 81 mm mortar rounds. Gulmakay sustained fatal shrapnel wounds during the fighting.
     
  
U.S. Marines from Lima Company of the 3rd Battalion 6th Marines patrol as part of a joint Nato operation in Marja District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on July 27, 2010. U.S. Marines provided a security cordon to an operation conducted by British forces in the neighbouring area of operation.
   
A Marine wipes hair off his head after being shaved at Combat Operations Post Coutu, the base of operations for Lima Company of the 3rd Battalion 6th Marines, in Marja District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on April 15, 2010.
   
A U.S. Marine from Lima Company of the 3rd Battalion 6th Marines, sits on burn pit watch at Combat Operations Post Coutu, in Marja District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on July 23, 2010. Low ranking Marines are assigned burn-pit watch to prevent people from throwing batteries and amunition in the fire.
     
  
A U.S. Marine from Lima Company of the 3rd Battalion 6th Marines shaves his face with bottled water on Combat Operations Post Coutu in Marja District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on July 28, 2010.
   
U.S. Marines from Lima Company of the 3rd Battalion 6th Marines, attend a briefing for an upcoming operation, at Combat Operations Post Coutu in Marja District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on July 26, 2010.
   
Marines from Lima Company of the 3rd Battalion 6th Marines, prepare to depart Combat Operations Post Coutu on a presence patrol in Marja District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on April 16, 2010.
     
  
U.S. Marines from Lima Company of the 3rd Battalion 6th Marines patrol as part of a joint Nato operation in Marja District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on July 27, 2010. U.S. Marines provided a security cordon to an operation conducted by British forces in the neighbouring area of operation.
   
U.S. Marines from the 3rd Battalion 6th Marines, clear an area to secure a landing zone for a helicopter, in Marja District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on April 14, 2010.
   
Lance Corporal Nicholas Edwards, from 2nd Platoon, Lima Company of the 3rd Battalion 6th Marines, stands guard over Afghan farmers harvesting opium inside Combat Operations Post Coutu in Marja District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on April 16, 2010.
     
  
U.S. Marines from 2nd Platoon, Lima Company of the 3rd Battalion 6th Marines, stand near the burn pit at Patrol Base Beatley, in Marja District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on April 20, 2010.
   
U.S. Marines from Lima Company of the 3rd Battalion 6th Marines, lay with their gear before going on patrol, at Combat Operations Post Coutu in Marja District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on July 22, 2010.
   
U.S. Marines from 2nd Platoon, Lima Company of the 3rd Battalion 6th Marines, use a flare to signal a landing position to a medevac helicopter, near Patrol Base Beatley in Marja District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on April 20, 2010.